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UPDATE: The 45-year-old Kona man involved in yesterday’s (December 19) two-vehicle crash in Oʻokala was pronounced dead at 4:38 a.m. this morning (Thursday, December 20) at the Hilo Medical Center.

A 45-year-old Kona man died Wednesday (December 19) in a two-vehicle crash on the Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Highway 19) at the 30-mile marker in Oʻokala.

He was identified as Kris Korban of Kailua-Kona.

Police determined that Korban was operating a 1993 Ford Explorer heading north at 3:58 p.m. when his sports-utility vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with a Hele-On bus traveling south.

Korban was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 4:38 a.m.

Five passengers from the bus were taken to North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries. The bus driver, a 58-year-old Hilo man, was treated for minor injuries at Hilo Medical Center.

Police believe that alcohol may have been a factor in this crash.

This is the 38th fatality so far this year compared with 21 at this time last year.